Trump Bans 12 Countries from Entering U.S.

What prompted President Trump to implement the 2025 travel ban?

The United States is making headlines again with a bold move on immigration. On June 5, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation that changes who can enter the country.

This decision has sparked debates, raised questions, and left many wondering about its impact. What does this mean for travelers, families, and global relations?

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

Trump Travel Ban 2025: What Is It?

President Trump’s latest proclamation stops citizens from 12 countries from entering the U.S. starting June 9, 2025.

These countries are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, seven other countries—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—face partial restrictions.

People from these seven nations cannot get tourist or student visas or move to the U.S. permanently, but some exceptions exist.

The White House says this ban is about keeping America safe. Trump pointed to a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado, where an Egyptian national, not from a banned country, was involved in a violent incident.

The administration argues that the listed countries don’t have strong enough systems to check travelers’ backgrounds, which could pose risks like terrorism or visa overstays.

For example, some of these nations have high rates of people staying in the U.S. after their visas expire, according to a Homeland Security report.

Why Is This Happening Now?

This isn’t the first time Trump has pushed for travel bans. During his first term in 2017, he tried to limit travel from several Muslim-majority countries, which led to protests and legal battles.

The Supreme Court eventually allowed a revised version of that ban in 2018. President Joe Biden canceled it in 2021, calling it unfair.

Now, Trump is bringing back a similar policy, but it’s broader, covering more countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

The decision follows an executive order Trump signed on January 20, 2025, his first day back in office. It asked government agencies to review which countries might pose security risks due to poor vetting or lack of cooperation on immigration issues.

The new ban reflects months of planning, making it less likely to face the same legal challenges as the first one, according to experts like Stephen Vladeck from Georgetown University.

Who Is Affected and Who Is Exempt?

The ban applies to people from the 12 listed countries who don’t already have U.S. visas or green cards. It also affects those from the seven partially restricted countries seeking specific visas.

However, there are exemptions. For example, athletes coming for events like the World Cup or the Olympics can still enter.

Afghans who worked with the U.S. government and qualify for Special Immigrant Visas are also exempt. Green card holders and people with valid visas issued before June 9, 2025, can still come to the U.S.

This policy has raised concerns. Some critics, like Democratic lawmakers, argue it unfairly targets certain groups and won’t make the U.S. safer.

Others, like Shawn VanDiver from #AfghanEvac, worry it will block Afghans who supported U.S. efforts from finding safety.

Countries like Venezuela and Somalia have expressed frustration, with Somalia hoping to work with the U.S. to address concerns.

What’s Next?

The travel ban is set to start on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. It could change if countries improve their vetting processes or if new threats emerge.

Legal challenges are expected, but the Supreme Court’s past support for Trump’s authority on national security might make it harder to stop this ban.

For now, it’s a major step in Trump’s immigration agenda, and its effects will likely be felt by travelers, families, and U.S. allies worldwide.

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